South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center services are based on the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation, with emphasis on attending to the whole person and re-establishing one's life as a result of the consequences of mental illness and sometimes co-occurring substance use disorders. The services focus on recovery, rehabilitation, and community integration, and are individualized to meet the needs of each client. Clients actively participate in setting service plan goals and are encouraged to involve family and significant others in the recovery plan. 

The team at South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center is multi-disciplinary, and consists of counselors and clinicians, psychiatrists, nurses, and peer specialists. In addition, the team is bilingual and bicultural, across all disciplines, in order to linguistically and culturally address the needs of the large Latino population in the South region of San Diego.

In addition to outpatient psychiatric services, the South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center also has four specialized programs: Full Service Partnership Case Management, targeted services for Transition Aged Youth (aged 18-24), Older Adults (aged 60+), and short-term Geriatric Outreach services provided in the community.

Walk-In Outpatient Services

• Bio-Psychosocial Assessments
• Medication Management
• Case Management
• Crisis Intervention
• Service Coordination and Linkage
• Peer Support
• Life Skills Development
• Outreach and Education
• Employment Services
• Group and limited Individual, and Family Counseling
• Integrated Services for Mental Health & Substance Use Problems
• Enhanced services for Transitional Aged Youth, 18-24 years old
• Enhanced services for Older Adults, 60+ years old
• Short-term Geriatric Outreach services in the community

Strength Based Case Management

South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center offers clients a collaborative Full Service Partnership (FSP) through Strength Based Case Management (SBCM) services.  SBCM services are delivered based on the following principles: (1) people with psychiatric disabilities can recover, reclaim, and transform their lives; (2) treatment will focus on strengths rather than deficits; (3) the community contains a wealth of resources; (4) the client is the director of the helping relationship; (5) the worker-client relationship is primary and essential; and (6) the primary setting for SBCM work is in the community. 

Eligibility Criteria for SBCM: Client must meet two or more of the criteria below:

• Ages 18 - 59;

• Medical Necessity must be established (face to face) to determine the presence of a severe psychiatric disability and need for Strength Based Case Management (SBCM) services per LOCUS (Level 3 - High Intensity Community Based Services);

• Has current LPS Conservatorship (may be a designated County Conservator or family member (Private Conservator);

• Client is not homeless but may be at-risk of homelessness;

• Minimum one hospitalization in the past year, OR multiple ER utilizations, PERT interventions, jail mental health service and/or long-term care hospitalization;

• Have major impairments in life functioning;

• Person is not connected to outpatient treatment;

• Person is experiencing an acute psychiatric episode that might require SBCM level services

• Is at high risk of admission to an inpatient mental health facility;

• Has a substantial need for supportive services (including care coordination and outreach mental health services) to maintain current level of functioning in the community, as evidenced by missed appointments, medication non-adherence, or inability to coordinate services from multiple agencies;

• Does not have a case manager from another program who is able to address mental health needs.

Referral Process

Referrals may be initiated by any individual or family member, concerned citizen, or social service provider/professional by calling or walking into the program directly.

Hours of Operation

South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center is currently open:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Walk-In Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Fees and Funding

South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center is primarily funded through contracts with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services Department.  The program accepts Medi-Cal.  For individuals with no insurance, fees are based on a sliding scale determined by one's income.  No one is denied services based on inability to pay.

Transportation

South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center is wheelchair accessible and accessible by public transportation.   The nearest trolley stop is Palomar.  Take the number 701 bus from Palomar and transfer to the number 929 (this will drop you off in front of South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center on 3rd Ave.).

Certifications

South Bay Guidance Wellness Recovery Center is a Medi-Cal provider certified by San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services Department and California Department of Mental Health.